Introduction: The post-mortem examination still represents the reference standard for detecting the pathological nature of chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). This approach displays intrinsic conceptual limitations since NDD represent a dynamic spectrum of partially overlapping phenotypes, shared pathomechanistic alterations that often give rise to mixed pathologies.Areas covered: We scrutinized the international clinical diagnostic criteria of NDD and the literature to provide a roadmap toward a biomarker-based classification of the NDD spectrum. A few pathophysiological biomarkers have been established for NDD. These are time-consuming, invasive and not suitable for preclinical detection. Candidate screening biomarkers are gaining momentum. Blood neurofilament light-chain represents a robust first-line tool to detect neurodegeneration tout court and serum progranulin help detect genetic frontotemporal dementia. Ultrasensitive assays and retinal scans may identify Aβ pathology early, in blood and the eye, respectively. Ultrasound also represents a minimally invasive option to investigate the substantia nigra. Protein misfolding amplification assays may accurately detect α-synuclein in biofluids.Expert opinion: Data-driven strategies using quantitative rather than categorical variables may be more reliable for quantification of contributions from pathophysiological mechanisms and their spatial-temporal evolution. A systems biology approach is suitable to untangle the dynamics triggering loss of proteostasis, driving neurodegeneration and clinical evolution.

The path to biomarker-based diagnostic criteria for the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases

Baldacci, Filippo
Primo
;
Ceravolo, Roberto;Siciliano, Gabriele;Giorgi, Filippo Sean;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: The post-mortem examination still represents the reference standard for detecting the pathological nature of chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). This approach displays intrinsic conceptual limitations since NDD represent a dynamic spectrum of partially overlapping phenotypes, shared pathomechanistic alterations that often give rise to mixed pathologies.Areas covered: We scrutinized the international clinical diagnostic criteria of NDD and the literature to provide a roadmap toward a biomarker-based classification of the NDD spectrum. A few pathophysiological biomarkers have been established for NDD. These are time-consuming, invasive and not suitable for preclinical detection. Candidate screening biomarkers are gaining momentum. Blood neurofilament light-chain represents a robust first-line tool to detect neurodegeneration tout court and serum progranulin help detect genetic frontotemporal dementia. Ultrasensitive assays and retinal scans may identify Aβ pathology early, in blood and the eye, respectively. Ultrasound also represents a minimally invasive option to investigate the substantia nigra. Protein misfolding amplification assays may accurately detect α-synuclein in biofluids.Expert opinion: Data-driven strategies using quantitative rather than categorical variables may be more reliable for quantification of contributions from pathophysiological mechanisms and their spatial-temporal evolution. A systems biology approach is suitable to untangle the dynamics triggering loss of proteostasis, driving neurodegeneration and clinical evolution.
2020
Baldacci, Filippo; Mazzucchi, Sonia; Della Vecchia, Alessandra; Giampietri, Linda; Giannini, Nicola; Maya, Koronyo-Hamaoui; Ceravolo, Roberto; Siciliano, Gabriele; Bonuccelli, Ubaldo; Elahi, Fanny M; Vergallo, Andrea; Lista, Simone; Giorgi, Filippo Sean; Hampel, Harald
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Baldacci 2020.pdf

solo utenti autorizzati

Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 1.96 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.96 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/1035224
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 19
  • Scopus 37
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 34
social impact